Ford flew short haul across southern Ontario as jet purchase was finalized
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is facing criticism for using private OPP aircraft for short-haul domestic flights while his government finalizes the purchase of a new private jet. Critics argue this behavior reflects a disconnect between the Premier's spending habits and his public stance on fiscal responsibility.
Why it matters
The story highlights potential political hypocrisy regarding taxpayer-funded travel expenses during a period of government spending scrutiny.
As civil servants raced to finalize the purchase of a private jet for Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford was crisscrossing the province on an OPP plane.
Schedules obtained by Global News using freedom of information laws reveal that, in a month and a half, Ford took four short-haul domestic flights on the plane and chartered a jet to travel to Texas.
Between the beginning of March and mid-April, Ford flew in and out of Windsor, Kingston, North Bay and Ottawa each in a single day.
“Decisions about travel are made on a case-by-case basis, depending on security, scheduling, the availability of commercial flights, and the availability of the OPP aircraft,” the premier’s office wrote in a short statement.
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